Here is the chapter so many of you have been waiting for! Yay! Just a few quick notes if you can stand to wait, or perhaps you could just come back.
There is a plan for Lydia. For so long, I had no idea what I was doing with her, so, she was in Bath and I didn't mess with her much. I had reread P&P for the first time in a few years, and the last chapter really brought out some ideas I had already accepted. Kitty, under the influence of her eldest sisters, pretty much becomes the gentleman's daughter she was born to be. Mary submits to her mother's whims and adjusts her life to them without changing who she was fundamentally. This is what I have tried to do with them from the beginning. They are sisters, so they will have similar traits, but they will manifest in different ways. For Mary, her humorous personality comes out when helping her sisters with their romantic endeavors. At the moment, I can see Mary's logical mind having trouble grasping how people make love and affections so difficult. In the original story, Lydia never changed her ways, even with her marriage. So, here I have her adjusting to her circumstances, but there hasn't been anything that has really encouraged her to see things differently, anything to change the behavior. She is angry and bitter and she will have to work through that before there can be a real character change.
After thanking the maid for helping with her hair, Lizzy willed the knots in her stomach to loosen. There was no reason to be nervous. She had been to countless assemblies, and this one would be no different. Well, it was her first London assembly. It was undoubtedly going to be different from the others she had attended. What had her bothered was the possibility of encountering Mr. Darcy. She knew it was inevitable, as they had all been invited to a party being thrown for his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy in ten days' time, but she did not think herself ready for the encounter. Realizing there was no time to dawdle, she went to meet her sisters and brother in the foyer.
In all, their party was made up of six; Oliver (though she still called him Mr. Andrews), Jane, Mrs. Andrews, Mary, Kitty, and herself. It was not a terribly long trip to the assembly. Once inside, Lizzy felt herself a bit overwhelmed. There were so many people present, and almost all of them were strangers. Oliver managed to find them a comfortable place in a corner of the room, so that Jane would not be made to stand the whole night, if at all. She smiled when she thought of how he doted on her, and how her sister would roll her eyes, smile, and do as she pleased the moment he turned around, though it was never anything Jane didn't believe he could handle her doing.
Within minutes, they were approached by many of her brother-in-law's London acquaintances. The next hour was spent dancing and speaking with gentlemen she was positive would not have given her a second glance before. She mused to herself that Mr. Bingley's sisters found the behaviors of those in the country to be primitive and rude when she had been asked several personal questions about herself and her available sisters. Their second hour was coming to a close when she spotted a familiar figure across the room. She locked eyes with Mr. Darcy and felt her heart beat speed up. After what seemed like an enormous amount of time, her attention was taken by a Mr. Williams, who had attended university with Mr. Benjamin Richards. He had come to claim his dance.
As they went through their steps, she found it increasingly difficult to keep her attention on the young man. He was friendly and spoke with sincerity, not digging into her personal business, but he was simply not as engaging as the other gentleman was distracting. During the dance, she noticed that he and two gentlemen made their way near her party. She couldn't help but wonder why they would do such a thing. The two other gentlemen looked familiar, but she simply could not place them. Happily for her, the song soon ended, and Mr. Williams escorted her back to her family. When they drew close enough, she noticed the older of the two new gentlemen was engaged in a lively conversation with Oliver, while his younger counterpart, who must be a son, smiled broadly at the two. Mr. Darcy stood nearby with his usual blank expression. She noticed his eyes brighten as she drew closer.
"Well said, my friend," laughed Oliver. "Ah, Lord Matlock, Lord Bracken, allow me to introduce yet another sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Elizabeth, this is the Earl of Matlock and the Viscount of Bracken. I believe you know Lord Matlock's younger son, Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"It is a pleasure, Miss Bennet. My brother spoke of your beauty and genteel nature."
"The Colonel is too kind. I understand I should offer my congratulations for his recent marriage to Miss de Bourgh. I wish him the greatest happiness."
"Yes. I shall be sure and pass them on. I am positive they shall both appreciate them."
The earl greeted her in a happy manner as well. The conversation drifted back to their earlier discussion, the earl's opinions of his wife's determination to see that her niece was properly brought into society. Her eyes strayed back to Mr. Darcy's direction and found him staring at her intently. He moved a little closer. Glancing around, she found Kitty much engaged with both Mr. Richards, but her other two sisters were none to subtly watching her with secret smiles.
"You look well, Miss Bennet." Mr. Darcy's baritone voice brought her attention back to him. Ready or not, it was time for her to face him. It had been almost nine months since she had last spoken to him, and her world was vastly different from before that time.
"Thank you. As do you. Have you been in Town long?"
"Only a few days. We returned just after the New Year. We spent Christmas at Rosings."
"Is the Colonel happily settled?"
"Yes, he and Anne are quite happy together, though my aunt is less so."
"Lady Catherine does not approve?" Lizzy asked, shocked.
"Not really. She was away on a short trip and returned home to find her daughter married. I was told you could hear my aunt's displeasure from the other side of the village," he smirked.
"The Colonel is a brave man indeed to court Lady Catherine's displeasure."
"My cousin is only a coward when a lady asks his opinion on a frock or accessory, though I believe most men are when faced with such an inquiry."
"A very dangerous line of question for sure."
"Miss Bennet, might I have the honor of dancing the next dance with you?"
Lizzy had a moment of panic in which she searched her mind to remember if she had promised the dance to another already. She was pleased to realize she had not, and tucked her relief away to examine later.
"You may."
He took her hand and she denied to look back at her sisters, though she could feel their pleasure. She was almost certain she could feel the amused eyes of her new brother as well. She was happy to find that their dance allowed for more conversation.
"My sister was pleased to learn that you and your sisters will be attending her party. She is very eager to meet you."
"I am no less eager. It will be nice to put a face to the name."
"Will you be in Town for the entire Season?"
"No. Circumstances have arisen that would have my brother see his wife safely situated at Roxwood in April."
She watched as he looked to her sister and nod his head, obviously realizing what she had alluded to. "I should offer my congratulations."
"Not just yet. Outside of family, you are the only one to know of it. I believe they wish to conceal her condition for as long as possible."
"I wish them luck. If she continues to favor her middle, however, they will find the task quite daunting."
They danced in silence for a few moments. Lizzy took the time to look about and witness one of the gentlemen she had danced with earlier lean in to speak with his partner. Think of what he had asked of her earlier, she laughed.
"Have I amused you, Miss Bennet?"
"No, Mr. Darcy. I was thinking of an earlier partner and his impertinent questions. They lead me to think on a few comments Miss Bingley and yourself shared on your opinions of country manners. I find that the manners of those it Town are far less charming and rude than I have encountered before."
"Miss Bingley's opinions are certainly of no consequence now, and I am sure you understand that my own circumstances led me to believe and act harshly, more so than I should have."
"Yes, I remember. I have found myself unable to help but understand your behavior, though that makes it no less unacceptable. However, upon examining our encounters, I was no less wrong in my certainty of your guilt."
"My actions and words against you and our family are unforgivable."
"That is where you and I differ, Mr. Darcy. My good opinion, once lost or never gained, is not necessarily unattainable."
She saw a spark of hope in his eyes and was thankful that the song ended and she would not be forced to elaborate. He escorted her back to her family and seemed reluctant to release her, though he did. She then focused her attention on Kitty, who was yet unknowing of her feelings for Mr. Darcy, though she doubted it would remain so for long. Mr. Darcy and his party left not long after, the Viscount wishing to avoid a certain young woman. The rest of the evening passed in a blur, Lizzy wondering if she should have been so frank, and hoping she would not be misunderstood.
Darcy sat in his study with little light. He should be seeking his bed, but he found himself unable to do so just yet. There was still hope for him.
He could barely contain himself when he had first laid eyes on her that evening. She was certainly far happier than the last time he had seen her. Just as he had thought, she stood out amongst those around her. Her smile shone like the brightest star. She was utterly breathtaking. He was not the only man to take note. He scowled at the thought. All thoughts of not making his intensions clear to his peers were thrown out. He would make it well known that he intended to seek her hand.
The only real obstacle he could think of, since the lady herself was not opposed to his attention, was her brother-in-law. He had not seemed at all opposed to him dancing with Elizabeth, but his smirk said he would not make things easy on the Master of Pemberley. Darcy doubted he would garner much help from Mrs. Andrews. There was the comfort in the knowledge that his aunt and sister would aid him. Both of them were exceedingly pleased that there was a lady he would consider at all. He would confer with them both in the morning.
Jane dismissed her maid and continued brushing her own hair. While she enjoyed having her hair done by another, she preferred to brush and braid it for bed herself. She hummed to herself as she worked. The door opened and a very amused Oliver entered.
"What has you so amused?"
"I just witnesses Kitty and Mary sneaking into Elizabeth's room. No doubt they wish to talk about the evening."
Jane felt herself pout. Last year, she would have joined them. While she enjoyed being married, there were some things that she missed. Late night talks with her sisters were one of them. She sighed. Oliver's deep chuckle disturbed her musings.
"Go."
"What?"
"I said go. Spend the night with your sisters. I know you want to, it's written all over your face."
"I can't do that!"
"Says who? I don't mind," he said, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a kiss. "I'm not saying I would be pleased for it to become a common occurrence, but tonight was a special night. It was the first assembly in Town for the lot of you. Go, and tell me all the good gossip tomorrow."
"You are incorrigible!" she exclaimed, slipping from his arms. She rushed to the bed, grabbed his pillow, and ran for the door, throwing a wink at him before she closed the door and dashed to her sister's room. Not bothering to knock, she went right in. "Room for one more?"
"Jane!" they all exclaimed.
"What are you doing here?" asked Lizzy.
"Oliver spied Mary and Kitty attempting to sneak in here, and, seeing that I wished to join you, he told bade me to do so. Being the good wife that I am, I quickly complied."
"Oliver raises my expectations in men far too often," grinned Kitty. "That is, until he restricts my rides and trips to the village."
The four sisters arranged themselves in a circle on the bed. Once they settled, they looked at one another and giggled.
"It has been so long since we have done this," sighed Mary.
"Well, I am sure we know why we have gathered here tonight," said Kitty.
"Yes, tell us, Lizzy, how was your dance with Mr. Darcy?" asked Jane.
Lizzy looked down a smiled happily. "It was nice. I was afraid of how our meeting would be. Our conversation is our own, but suffice it to say that he is still interested and I am not opposed to his particular attention."
"Of course he is," snorted Kitty. "He is an intelligent man, albeit an almost anti-social one." She looked up to see her sisters shocked faced and snorted again. "Lydia was always good at rooting out information. I merely picked up some techniques. Jane, you have a habit of leaving out your letters. Really, you should put them away if you wish for them to remain private."
Lizzy burst into laughter first. "Is there anything else you have gleaned through your talents?"
"Unlike before, I have learned discretion, so no, there is nothing I know that I wish to share that is relevant to this conversation."
"Thank you for informing me of my bad habit. I wish you had said something before," scoffed Jane.
"But then I would never have learned of Mr. Darcy's proposal and I would be hopelessly lost," Kitty replied innocently. "Besides, I was not too shocked to learn of it. He stared at you constantly in Hertfordshire. Papa's observation skills were not solely bestowed upon Lizzy."
"You also inherited Mama's tendency to not see what is going on right in front of you," stated Mary.
"What?"
"Nothing," giggled Lizzy. "It's nothing."
"It's obviously not nothing, otherwise Mary wouldn't have said anything. What have I supposedly missed, Mary?"
"I will say nothing more. And neither will Jane or Lizzy," she said, sending a look to her elder sisters. "Use your 'techniques' to learn what I alluded to."
"Fine. I will." Jane and Lizzy laughed at the two. "Now, back to Mr. Darcy. What do you plan to do now, Lizzy?"
"I shall do what I did not last time: I shall get to know him, learn about him from those closest to him. I will not let a bad beginning determine my future."
"You really have been spending a lot of time with Mary."
"And now, so shall you," Mary grinned mischievously.
"I am truly terrified," said Kitty dryly.
"Enough about Mr. Darcy and I, what do we think of Papa's news on Lydia?"
"My heart is broken over it," sighed Jane. "I could never imagine the terms cold and calculating could be applied to her. That Papa said she reminded him of Miss Bingley… It cannot be possible."
"I can," stated Mary. "Lydia was never cruel to any of you, but she was to me. You know what she would say of me in your presence. What she would say when we were alone was much worse. Her new behavior does not surprise me at all."
"I am not surprised either," added Kitty. "I was privy to many of her personal thoughts, and I was never surprised by her response to the entire situation. Lydia is a survivor, and will adapt to her situation if she cannot mold it to her wishes. She will do whatever she has to in order to be what she considers the best. It has always been her goal to outshine the rest of us. Her resentment will only amplify her goals in her mind. Now, she has the tools to at least do it without ruining herself and us in the process."
Jane didn't want to believe it, but one look at Lizzy said that she accepted the words of their younger sisters. "We cannot blame ourselves entirely, Jane. Perhaps we could have done something, but there is no way to know if she still would have continued on this path with Mama's influence, or if she would have come out the better for it. You did what you could now, and that is all that can matter. You cannot undo the past. Believe me, I know."
As they had done, many months before, they stayed up long into the night, talking over ever matter of thing. Kitty only tried twice to trick her sisters into revealing what they knew about herself, that she had apparently overlooked. Oliver found them tangled about each other the next morning.
In the next chapter, we will catch up with Bingley and his sisters.